Taper Turning

[Jim Dunn]

Just a quick question concerning taper turnings. Is it best to leave the large end of the taper at the head stock or at the tail stock? Or is it just a matter of preference? Seems the taper is just natural toward the tail stock for me. Of course I am right handed and that may make a difference.

I haven't had the turners virus very long either

Jim

[Steve Clardy]

My preference is the larger end at the head stock.

[Bill Grumbine]

Hi Jim

In most cases, it depends on which way you are more comfortable turning the taper. Exceptions would be if the taper is going to be such that the headstock end is going to be so much smaller than the tailstock end that you have trouble with vibration, or there are other design elements that require the taper go the other way. By that I mean that you may have other elements that are easier to turn going in a direction that puts the taper in the other direction from what you would prefer, or the fixing method requires that you hold the turning by one particular end. Clear? It might not be as clear as I thought upon rereading what I just typed, so if it isn't let me know, and I will try to make it a little more intelligible.

The biggest (longest) taper I ever turned was the mast for my sailboat at 14' 2", and I put the small end at the headstock.

<img src="http://www.enter.net/~ultradad/mast3.jpg">

Bill

[Dale Thompson]

Jim,
I'm sure that Steve is right but I do it just the opposite. I don't remember much at MY age but I do seem to remember that cutting "downhill" is ALMOST always preferable. I also have seen somewhere that cutting TOWARD the headstock reduces "chatter".

LOTS OF LUCK! With my skill, I get "chatter" before I even turn on the lathe!?!

Anyway, Jim, being right-handed, I find it much less awkward to support the back of the spindle with my left hand while "skimming" the "downhill" slope with the skew in my right hand. For me, this works best when cutting from right to left (i.e. from the tailstock to the headstock).

I'll be watching for further responses! At some point in time, I'd like to do SOMETHING right!

Dale T.

[Dale Thompson]

Clear? It might not be as clear as I thought upon rereading what I just typed, so if it isn't let me know, and I will try to make it a little more intelligible. Bill

Hi Bill,
EVERYTHING that you said was perfectly clear to ME! If THAT doesn't scare you then I will tell you how I sharpen the runners on my iceboat!! It's REALLY tough to get a good edge when using my lathe but I keep on trying! I haven't won any races yet this year but I can always blame it on "adverse" wind conditions!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Dale T.

[Jim Dunn]

Well in my metal days, I always turned towards the head stock. Everything, including tapers. However I just turned my first short taper and just by chance the tool I was using cut towards the head stock easier. Since I had to cut a larger amount of material from one end for the taper I cut it that way. May not have been right, but hey, I'm still in the fever stage of this spinny virus When it goes full blown spinbotchula I'll figure it all out.

Jim.

[Bill Stevener]

Hi Jim,
More than likely, you will get many opinions. The first sentence in Bill G's reply is one that pretty much sums it up. Depending on how much spindle turning you do, at times the taper runs in both directions, from a high point going towards the head stock and then from the high point going towards the tail stock. Then again at times you can have multiple tapers.
Generally I prefer the larger end of the spindle to be on the driven end working from the smallest diameter back to the largest diameter, but I do a lot of replacement and or restoration comision work on sum what smaller old chairs and rockers which makes this method of turning comfortable for me.
One other point to consider, which may sound strange, is how is the spindle being driven and or fixed. With a chuck or a spur drive? This at times, also dictates at what end the smaller diameter of the taper will begin.

Bill.>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

[Jim Dunn]

Bill, as I don't have a chuck as yet, it's all spur driven. That brings up a question. Does anyone use lathe dogs and a face plate for wood turning? I used to do alot of cylindrical grinding and it was all between centers with a dog and face plate.

Jim